FIFA’s Infantino sought Trump backing after World Cup selloff plan: Report
✓FIFA boss Gianni Infantino turned to Donald Trump to save his job amid revolt against World Cup privatisation plan.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino sought support from the administration of US President Donald Trump amid mounting criticism after his abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, the New York Post reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The Post said that Infantino had repeatedly tried and failed to reach Trump by phone since the proposal collapsed on Friday, and that the FIFA chief felt “isolated” by an avalanche of negative media coverage.
FIFA had no immediate comment.
Criticism has intensified over Infantino’s failed plan to spin off the world football governing body’s commercial assets into a new entity backed by private investors.
FIFA’s plan to unlock up to $4.2bn from private investors by selling a roughly 20 percent stake in a new entity overseeing competitions including the World Cup ended in retreat on Friday after fierce resistance from stakeholders.
With the idea abandoned, attention has now turned to the potential repercussions for Infantino, whose bid for another term as FIFA president from 2027 to 2031 faces increased scrutiny following the failed initiative.
Trump and Infantino have forged a close relationship, with the two appearing together at major football events including this year’s World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The bond was highlighted in December 2025 when Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, making him the first recipient of the award.
The relationship has drawn further attention over FIFA’s World Cup selloff plan, a deal that was set to be anchored by Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The Post also reported that Infantino had scheduled private talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with two sources familiar with the matter saying the FIFA boss was due to hold a call with the top US diplomat shortly after 9am ET (13:00 GMT).
However, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said in a post on X that there were “no plans” for Rubio to speak with 56-year-old Swiss-Italian Infantino and that “there is no call this morning”.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · The Hill ↗
FIFA President Gianni Infantino sought backing from the Trump administration following the collapse of his proposal to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors. The plan, which would have transferred roughly 20% of a newly created entity overseeing major competitions to investors including Thrive Capital, ended after significant stakeholder opposition. According to the New York Post, Infantino attempted multiple calls to Trump after the plan's withdrawal and expressed feeling isolated amid critical media coverage. Reports also indicated scheduled discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though the State Department stated no such call was planned. Infantino and Trump have maintained a public relationship, including appearances together at football events and Infantino's presentation of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to Trump in December 2025. The failed initiative may affect Infantino's bid for another presidential term from 2027 to 2031.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · The Hill ↗
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino turned to Donald Trump to save his job amid revolt against World Cup privatisation plan.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino sought support from the administration of US President Donald Trump amid mounting criticism after his abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, the New York Post reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The Post said that Infantino had repeatedly tried and failed to reach Trump by phone since the proposal collapsed on Friday, and that the FIFA chief felt “isolated” by an avalanche of negative media coverage.
FIFA had no immediate comment.
Criticism has intensified over Infantino’s failed plan to spin off the world football governing body’s commercial assets into a new entity backed by private investors.
FIFA’s plan to unlock up to $4.2bn from private investors by selling a roughly 20 percent stake in a new entity overseeing competitions including the World Cup ended in retreat on Friday after fierce resistance from stakeholders.
With the idea abandoned, attention has now turned to the potential repercussions for Infantino, whose bid for another term as FIFA president from 2027 to 2031 faces increased scrutiny following the failed initiative.
Trump and Infantino have forged a close relationship, with the two appearing together at major football events including this year’s World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The bond was highlighted in December 2025 when Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, making him the first recipient of the award.
The relationship has drawn further attention over FIFA’s World Cup selloff plan, a deal that was set to be anchored by Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The Post also reported that Infantino had scheduled private talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with two sources familiar with the matter saying the FIFA boss was due to hold a call with the top US diplomat shortly after 9am ET (13:00 GMT).
However, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said in a post on X that there were “no plans” for Rubio to speak with 56-year-old Swiss-Italian Infantino and that “there is no call this morning”.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · The Hill ↗
Infantino's plan sought to sell approximately 20% of a newly created entity overseeing World Cup and other competitions to private investors The plan aimed to raise up to $4.2bn from private investors The plan was abandoned on Friday following stakeholder resistance Infantino sought support from the Trump administration after the plan's collapse Infantino attempted multiple phone calls to Trump that reportedly went unanswered The New York Post reported Infantino felt isolated by media coverage Reports indicated scheduled talks between Infantino and Secretary of State Rubio The US State Department denied plans for a Rubio-Infantino call Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, was set to anchor the deal Trump and Infantino have a close relationship forged through major football events Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025 The failed initiative may affect Infantino's bid for another presidential term from 2027 to 2031
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · The Hill ↗
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino sought support from Donald Trump's administration after abandoning his plan to sell a 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights
- The privatisation plan, which aimed to raise up to $4.2bn from investors including Thrive Capital, faced fierce stakeholder resistance and was withdrawn on Friday
- Infantino reportedly felt isolated by negative coverage and attempted repeated phone contact with Trump; the US State Department denied scheduled talks with Secretary of State Rubio